Selected Groups of Bones from Skeldergate and Walmgate

This is the first of the fascicules on the animal bones from excavations by the York Archaeological Trust. It outlines those aspects of urban collections felt to be archaeologically important and the general methods of analysis used. The analyses are largely devoted to the representation of the skeletal elements the method being that advocated by Watson (1979). This is an aspect or approach to urban material that is still unfortunately under-used or inadequately studied and yet is essential to useful archaeological interpretation. Unfortunately the collections from Skeldergate are rather small and the author has divided the carcass into units which reduces the precision of this method. It is a pity that Watson's recommendation that the 'diagnostic zone data be published was not followed. Nevertheless this mode of analysis has permitted the recognition of a generalized division of bone refuse into that deriving from primary butchery, secondary butchery, and domestic debris with craft or other industrial exploitation being a secondary exploitation of material from primary butchery. It is perhaps in this type of analysis that the fascicule system falls down. The absence of the archaeological discussion makes it difficult to relate the selected groups of bone studied to their archaeological context- a process essential when analysing material in this manner. Other aspects dealt with include the mode of butchery and the pathology of the animals.